How outdoor benches for schools promote connection and wellbeing

The school playground is a place for fun, games, and time with friends. However, that’s not the case for every child. For some, the playground can feel overwhelming or isolating. This is where outdoor benches for schools, such as the Buddy Bench come in. They offer a visible, welcoming place to sit and encourage children to connect and talk to each other, helping schools promote emotional wellbeing in simple, practical ways.

The Buddy Bench movement

The Buddy Bench began in Europe and quickly spread across the globe. The idea behind it is that when a child feels lonely or unsure about how to join in with others, they sit on the bench. Other children are taught to notice and invite them to play or join their conversation. This has been adopted by schools across the UK as part of anti-bullying and emotional wellbeing initiatives.

The movement has the support of retailers and charities too. For example, Marks & Spencer partnered with YoungMinds to donate 100 Buddy Benches to UK schools. Each bench is made from 95kg of recycled plastic, so they score highly on sustainability too.

The positive impact of outdoor benches for schools

A Buddy Bench brings plenty of benefits for schools:

Reduces isolation:

Children have a safe and visible place to sit when they would like someone to play with or talk to. 

Encourages empathy:

Pupils learn to notice loneliness and respond with care and kindness.

Supports mental health:

Initiatives like Hello Yellow, run by YoungMinds, highlight how visible symbols like benches can help children feel seen and supported.

Helps build community:

Benches normalise reaching out to others, making friendship a big part of everyday school life.

Why do these benefits matter? Government data shows that children with suspected mental or emotional health problems are seven times more likely to miss more than 15 days of school compared to classmates who don’t experience these challenges. Simple interventions like outdoor benches for schools offer a safe way for children to signal when they need support.

Introducing a Buddy Bench: Practical tips for schools

For schools considering Buddy Benches or other outdoor seating, here are some practical tips:

• Introduce it in an assembly. Explain the idea of a Buddy Bench and how to use it kindly, emphasising the importance of empathy and inclusion.

• Link it to wellbeing campaigns. Tie the bench to Anti-Bullying Week or World Mental Health Day.

• Position benches thoughtfully: Place benches in visible, welcoming areas where children naturally gather.

• Encourage a mentoring system. Older pupils can help teach younger children how to respond when someone sits on the bench.

The Buddy Bench movement shows how outdoor benches for schools can be a simple but effective way to promote inclusion, empathy, and emotional wellbeing. With many designs now made from recycled plastic, schools can also demonstrate that they value caring for the planet as well as caring for each other.

Take a look at our Buddy Bench and let’s create playgrounds where every child feels safe and supported. While you are here, why not take a look at our guide to Winter Construction Site Safety or browse our range of Classroom Book Storage.